Acclaimed director Wes Anderson returns with The Phoenician Scheme, a film that blends his signature visual storytelling with emotional depth and spiritual introspection. Starring Benicio del Toro as Zsa-zsa Korda, a mysterious Euro tycoon inspired partly by Anderson’s own father-in-law, the film promises to be one of the director’s most personal works to date.
In a recent press conference, Anderson shared, “I had an idea of a tycoon… it started mixing with my wife’s father — a kind, warm person, but very intimidating.” This layered complexity defines Zsa-zsa, and del Toro, who previously collaborated with Anderson on The French Dispatch, embraces the contradictions. “It’s full of contradictions, which makes it really yummy for an actor,” he said.
The film features an all-star ensemble cast including Bryan Cranston, Tom Hanks, Scarlett Johansson, Mia Threapleton, Michael Cera, and Willem Dafoe. Cranston, who worked with Anderson on Isle of Dogs, emphasizes the precision of Anderson’s scripts: “If you miss one little bit, it’s not going to track.”
At the heart of The Phoenician Scheme is the poignant relationship between Zsa-zsa and his daughter, portrayed by rising star Mia Threapleton — daughter of Kate Winslet. Threapleton’s preparation was intense and spiritual: “I talked to a deacon of the Catholic church, went to Rome, read the Bible… I read the script five times in my first week.” Her commitment, she says, was driven by “overwhelming excitedness.”
The filming experience, while tightly structured, was also described as surprisingly freeing. “You’re just in the moment. You’re actually in that world,” Threapleton remarked. A moment of improvisation even led to a costume breakthrough when a napkin became part of her character’s veil — an idea Anderson quickly embraced.
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Del Toro admitted he initially wanted to simplify some of his character’s lengthy dialogue, but soon changed his mind. “I had to go up to [Wes] and go, I think you need to put it back.” Cranston and Hanks, who arrived in Berlin together for the shoot, praised del Toro’s intense performance: “Basically, most of the conversation Tom and I had on set was, ‘Oh my God, what can we do for him?’”
Casting, according to Anderson, is often an organic process. “Many of the roles, we cast them as we go. I tend to send an email… just to get on the books.” Scarlett Johansson, a frequent Anderson collaborator, was envisioned early in the writing process.
The Phoenician Scheme opens in select theaters May 30, with a wide release scheduled for June 6. With its blend of intricate characters, deep emotional stakes, and Anderson’s signature style, the film is poised to be a standout in 2024’s cinematic landscape.
